NewsFlash | Adaptive Sports

Adaptive Sports

National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic September 8-13, 2024 | Riverside, Iowa — Registration open until May 1st, 2024 — The National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic (NDVGC) is a week-long adaptive golf program that is presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and DAV (Disabled American Veterans). This annual event promotes rehabilitation by instructing Veterans with specific life-changing disabilities in adaptive golf. In addition to adaptive golf Veterans will be introduced to other adaptive recreational sports. ​All the activities offered by the NDVGC office will give Veterans an opportunity to develop new skills, strengthen their self-esteem, and expand fellowship and camaraderie among the participants. The event provides eligible Veterans with an opportunity to participate in therapeutic adaptive sporting and other recreational activities; which demonstrates that having a visual impairment or physical disability is a conquerable obstacle to an active, fulfilling and rewarding life.

Professional Golfer's Association (PGA) Helping Our Patriots Everywhere (HOPE) — The flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces the game of golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program introduces golf through a developmental 6-8 week curriculum, led by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section Foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans. The PGA of America is one of the world's largest sports organizations, composed of PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

Veterans Golfer Association - The VGA is dedicated to enriching the lives of Veterans and their family members through the camaraderie and sportsmanship of golf. Annually, the VGA hosts more than 450 local tournaments across the country, culminating in a VGA National Championship each fall.

Eagle's Pride Golf Course at Joint Base Lewis McChord - Construction to build a golf course on Fort Lewis began in 1929. Major reconstrcution was completed in 1940. Nearly 100 years later, it's one of the best courses in Western Washington and is open to the general public. Eagles Pride is a 27-hole championship course with exceptional greens, manicured fairways and forgiving rough with tee boxes designed for all levels of golfers. Golfers enjoy year-round practice at our lighted and heated facility that offers 10 covered hitting areas. Eagle's Pride Indoor Golf simulator provides golf with up to eight people. Multi-sport games include Football, Basketball, Hockey, Dodgeball, Baseball, Hockey, Soccer, Rugby, and Cricket.

American Lake Golf Course — The American Lake Veterans Golf Course is an 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus designed golf course managed, operated, and maintained by 235 volunteers: veterans, spouses, and friends of veterans. American Lake Golf Course is the only golf course in the United States designed to be played by disabled veterans. Recently the front nine greens were renovated with drainage and sand traps shaped to the specifications of the Nicklaus design. The greens renovation included 6-inches of pea gravel and 12-inches of a sandy/loam mixture on top. The surrounds and approaches of the greens are graded with 6 inches of topsoil and seeded perineal rye grass. Volunteers perform a wide variety of functions: management, grounds keeping and course maintenance, maintenance of equipment, check-in of golfers and guests, starters, marshals, scheduling of events, food service for events, training, and golf club repair. The American Lake Veterans Golf Course offers rehabilitation, therapy, socialization and support to those who have given so much for our country.

Veteran Golfers Association’s Josh Peyton // WKXL (FM-101, Audio) // The National Defense Radio Show (13JANUARY2024 Portland, OR) — We welcome back Josh Peyton the program to talk about the growth of his great veteran service organization, Veteran Golfers Association. Randy and Josh talk about the VGA, how it differs from the VA’s program with the PGA, and how you can get involved in supporting veterans or yourself through the game of golf.

VA Office of National Veterans Sports Programs — VA’s Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events provides Veterans with opportunities for health and healing through adaptive sports and therapeutic art programs. These specialized rehabilitation events aim to optimize Veterans’ independence, community engagement, well-being, and quality of life. The programs are built on clinical expertise within VA, with essential support from Veteran Service Organizations, corporate sponsors, individual donors and community partners. Interested in becoming a Paralympic athlete? Veterans with disabilities can compete with the national Olympic Team, as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 322(d) and Section 703 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. The VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events Office provides a monthly assistance allowance for Veterans with disabilities training in Paralympic sports. The monthly allowance rate for an athlete approved for monetary assistance is the same as the 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) rate. Detailed requirements, performance standards, training plans are available from the VA Office of National Veterans Sports Programs. The Adaptive Sports Grant Program is facilitated and managed by the National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events Office (NVSP&SE). VA awards grants to qualifying organizations to plan, develop, manage, and implement programs to provide adaptive sports opportunities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces as authorized under 38 United States Code 521A.

National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic April 1-7, 2024 | Snowmass, CO — Participating Veterans experience “Miracles on a Mountainside” as they are provided with training in adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, sled hockey, scuba diving, rock wall climbing and a number of other adaptive activities, sports and education. The five-day event is sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and DAV (Disabled American Veterans), with financial assistance from corporate sponsors and individual donors. Veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, certain neurological conditions and other disabilities are empowered to challenge perceived limitations by participating in adaptive sports that improve their overall health and outlook.

National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic August 25-30, 2024 | San Diego, CA — The adaptive sports program is designed for Veterans whose current rehabilitation goals would benefit from the value of adaptive summer sports. Adaptive sports included are sailing, surfing, adaptive fitness, kayaking, cycling, yoga and meditation. A rehabilitative and educational hands-on sporting event for military Veterans from across the country who have a range of disabilities, including Amputations, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Poly Trauma, Visual Impairments, Multiple Sclerosis, CVA with Residual, Burns, and Spinal Cord Injuries. Rehabilitation events specifically designed for Veterans with disabilities allow eligible participants to gain motivation, improve their independence, achieve a healthier lifestyle, and enjoy a higher quality of life. NVSSC is open to all Veterans enrolled in VA health care. All applications are subject to review by the NVSSC Medical Director and NVSSC Director.

National Veterans Wheelchair Games July 25-30, 2024 | New Orleans, LA — Registration open through April 5, 2024 — The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports and rehabilitation event solely for military veterans. The event demonstrates the unstoppable character of veterans and seeks to foster wider respect and opportunities for all people with disabilities. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is open to all U.S. veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations, multiple sclerosis, or other central neurological conditions who require a wheelchair for athletic competition. Every year, hundreds of American heroes from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the post-9/11 era compete in this celebration of sport, courage and camaraderie.

National Veterans Golden Age Games August 24-29, 2024 | Salt Lake City, UT — Registration for Visual Impaired/Wheelchair Div. opens March 12th — Registration for Ambulatory Div. opens March 14th — Founded in 1985, the National Veterans Golden Age Games serves Veterans ages 55 years and older. Through its “Fitness for Life” motto, the Golden Age Games offers sports competitions and health education sessions to demonstrate the value that sports, wellness, and fitness provide to assist senior Veterans live an active and healthy lifestyle. The National Veterans Golden Age Games is a qualifying event for the National Senior Games.

Department of Defense Warrior Games — The Department of Defense Warrior Games is an annual event, first held in 2010, that celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured active duty and veteran U.S. military service members. In June 2023, Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, host of the DoD Warrior Games, will introduce the Warrior Games Challenge, taking place at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, Calif. While there will be some changes from previous years, the same spirit of the Warrior Games will remain steadfast, focused on the recovery through adaptive sports, and the Warrior Games is dedicated to serving as a way to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors. Hundreds of elite athletes representing the United States Military will compete in adaptive sporting events such as wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing, and wheelchair rugby, among others. The DoD Warrior Games Challenge serves to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors by providing them exposure to adaptive sports.

Military Adaptive Sports Program (MASP) — Military Adaptive Sports is designed to enhance recovery by engaging wounded, ill, and injured Service members early in individualized physical and cognitive activities outside of traditional therapy settings. The program hopes to inspire recovery and physical fitness and encourage new opportunities for growth and achievement. The benefits of physical activity for injured Service members include reduced stress, increased quality of life, lower blood pressure, weight management, and enhancement of the rehabilitative process. Site Coordinators facilitate daily activities, access to community-based events and resources, sports camps, and clinics. MASP offers a variety of single-sport clinics, multiple-sport camps, and mentorship opportunities to help wounded, ill and injured Service members learn new skills and promote lifelong fitness and well-being. 

National Veterans Creative Arts Festival — The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is the culmination of VA facility competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music for Veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs national health care system. Veterans exhibit their artwork and original writings or perform musical, dance or dramatic selections in a live stage show performance. All Veterans invited to participate are selected winners of a national creative arts competition in which thousands of Veterans enter from VA medical facilities across the nation.

Team Red, White, and Blue (RWB) — In the military, service members push the limits of their well-being to support the mission. That selfless service posture has always been necessary because service members of every era knew they may be called to war. As they move into civilian life, many veterans carry that mission-first mindset with them, neglecting their health in the process. We believe that veterans are America’s most resilient citizens — and it’s time for more veterans to prioritize their well-being first. Team RWB exists to guide them through that journey with real-life and virtual opportunities focused on building a healthier lifestyle because a strong focus on mental and physical health is critical to ensuring veterans’ best days are ahead.

Free Entrance to National Parks for Current Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families — Learn about entrance passes that give current US military, veterans, and Gold Star Families free access to national parks. A free annual Military Pass is available for current US military members and their dependents. A free lifetime Military Pass is available for Gold Star Families and US military veterans. The Gold Star voucher and Military Lifetime Pass cover entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands and on lands managed by the National Park Service (NPS), US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers. The passes provide free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. An Access Pass may also provide discounts for expanded amenities like camping, guided tours etc.

• Current members of the US Armed Forces and their dependents can enter national parks for free with an Interagency Military Annual Pass through the America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass (Interagency) Program. There are a total of eight Interagency Passes available. For more information and to obtain these passes, please visit the USGS Online Store.
• Gold Star Families are next of kin of a member of the US Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the US Armed Forces. Eligibility requirements are in section 3.2 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36. Gold Star Families are eligible to get a free Military Lifetime Pass.
• Individuals who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and are able to present one of the following valid non-expired forms of identification when entering or using federal lands: (1) Department of Defense Identification Card (DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, or Next Generation USID replacement), (2) Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), (3) Veteran ID Card, (4) Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S.driver’s license or identification card

Biking — Biking through national parks is a great way to see beautiful scenery and discover new places. Cyclists can travel by roads (which are sometimes car-free!) and, in some parks, on select trails. There are many places in parks that cars cannot go, but you can cover more ground and visit new places on a bike. Some national parks offer bike rentals, and others provide guided biking activities. Find out more about biking in national parks.

Trails and Hiking — Time to lace up your hiking boots! Maybe a strenuous trek up a mighty peak is what you’re after. Or maybe you see yourself walking along an ancient trail that our ancestors used. Perhaps meandering down a boardwalk is more your speed. Park staff and volunteers work hard to keep trails safe for visitors and follow conservation laws to help protect our natural resources. National parks offer many opportunities to hit the trail. Get ready, adventure awaits.

Camping — Sometimes spending a day in the wilderness isn't quite enough to truly capture the feeling of a special place. Sure, you see some amazing views or go on an unforgettable hike. But to get the full experience, you yearn to see the dark, starry skies. To listen to the yips of coyotes. To watch the sun rise on a silent, dewy morning. Camping in the great outdoors transforms a regular old road trip into an epic experience. So pack up your tent or hitch up the fifth wheel — adventure awaits.

National Park Service (NPS) Military and Veterans — It is a gift. It is a sacrifice. It is a duty of many, taken up by few. The NPS American Military site is dedicated to the men and women of the American military, past and present. The National Park Service preserves and shares the stories of the American military over the last three centuries. NPS also provides opportunities for the United States military community to connect to the beautiful landscapes and important history they defend. National parks and the military have strong ties dating back to the establishment of Yellowstone as the world's first national park in 1872. The U.S. Cavalry watched over America's national parks and did double duty, serving as the first park rangers until the National Park Service was created 44 years later. During World War II, many parks were set aside for the training and care of military personnel. Today, dozens of national parks commemorate military battles and achievements. Discover the people who have protected our freedom. Learn about the places that shaped our military history and culture. Explore opportunities for Active-Duty military, Veterans, and their families. NPS has the honor of preserving battlefields, military parks, and historic sites that commemorate and honor the service of American Veterans. What better way to honor those who served their country than to visit a national park that preserves the places where they fought? You can also find a national cemetery administered by NPS.

MOVE Weight Management Program — VA's MOVE Weight Management Program for Veterans supports Veterans whole health and what matters most to them. Evidence-based weight management tools and strategies help Veterans make changes related to eating, physical activity, and behavior. MOVE is designed to improve the lives of Veterans. A team of health care providers is ready to help you lose weight and keep it off. You will learn how to lose weight safely and be healthy. You will be an active player in this journey and your health care team will be your “coaches.” If you are interested in losing weight and want to participate in MOVE, talk to your VA Provider or MOVE Coordinator who can help you get started. MOVE’s core ideas—encouraging healthy eating behavior, increasing physical activity, and promoting even small weight losses—are easy to follow and based on the latest in nutrition science.

MOVE Veteran Workbook — The MOVE Weight Management Program uses a 16-module MOVE! Veteran Workbook that guides participants through learning and activities to support healthy lifestyle changes. The Workbook also contains three mini-modules with additional information. The Workbook material is available in several formats that are explained below. This workbook was designed to empower and engage Veterans in their own healthcare, Healthy Living and Whole Health. Throughout the MOVE! Program Veterans will take charge of their weight management and apply tools and strategies to lose weight and be healthy. This workbook focuses on healthy eating, increasing physical activity, and applying healthy behaviors as a lifestyle. This workbook is also meant to be interactive with goal-setting tools, reflection questions, and practice activities. The more you put into the workbook, the more you will get out of it! The Veteran Food and Physical Activity Log is an 8-week logbook that helps participants become expert trackers. Participants start by listing all food, drinks, and activities they complete each day. Then they incorporate one new tracking detail each week. You may download the log to your personal computer or tablet to type in the blank spaces or you may print them to hand-write notes. Once the initial 8-week log is complete, you can download a new 1-week log to continue tracking each week.

Sign up for email updates or access your subscriber preferences: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHAVISN20/subscriber/new.

Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care

Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

VA Web Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Disclaimer of Hyperlinks: The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department and the VA website. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included.
Disclaimer of Liability: With respect to documents available from this server, neither the United States Government nor any of its employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.
Reference from this web page or from any of the information services sponsored by the VA to any non-governmental entity, product, service or information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the VA or any of its employees. We are not responsible for the content of any "off-site" web pages referenced from this server.
Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA.

Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VA Northwest Health Network (VISN 20) is the largest geographic region of VA. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in 135 counties in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. VISN 20 also serves Veterans in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties of California and Lincoln County Montana. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community. VCCP includes General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots.

Browse facilities by state

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Vet Centers provide counseling to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. If you can’t make it to a nearby Vet Center, VA offers satellite Vet Center locations and Mobile Vet Centers that may be closer to you.

Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran

The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:

1. Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.
3. Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
4. Veterans seeking registry examinations (ionizing radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted uranium, airborne hazards, and Open Burn Pit Registry).

Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.

Plan your trip to VA

In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. Our Canteens are whole health spaces for Veterans to connect, relax, share and care for themselves in an environment that is their benefit. We are proud to Serve America’s Veterans and those who provide for their care.

Hospital Service Directory

To find out whether there is a van near you use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community.